Justification indicator



May 3%,, K50

W. T. HoDsoN JUSTIFICATION INDICATOR Filed March 50, 1,948

ADD

SUBTRAC T 5 l 79 INVENTOR. 29 WILL/AM T. HUDSON 29%? By W A T TOP/VE V Patented May 30, 1950 UNITED STATES stain .t ThNT QFFHCE JUSTIFICATION INDICATOR Application March 30, 1948, Serial No. 17,881

11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in justification indicators for typewriters.

The new justification indicater is intended to speed, and in other ways facilitate, the justification of lines of type when used with such typewriters as the proportional spacing machine. By justification is meant the aligning of both sides of typed matter instead of just the left margin, and thereby more clearly simulating matter set with printers type.

In order to better comprehend the invention certain characteristics of the proportional spacing machine should first be understood. This machine is an electric machine, the type characters of which occupy a space laterally which is roughly the same as the normal width of the respective letters, that is, the letter M is normally much wider than I. On the conventional typewriter all characters and spaces are designed to fill one unit of width. On the proportional spacing machine, however, the letter M occupies five units and the letter I two units. (Each unit is In addition, two space bars are provided, one of two units and one of three units. There is also a back spacer key which back spaces one unit. Thus any amount of space may be inserted between words which is a multiple of one even unit. The average space, and that which is striven for, is two units.

The procedure in typing matter which is to be justified is first to establish the width of the column desired. Then each line is typed approximately to that length. It is desirable to end the line a little short of this established length rather than a little long. For example: The width of the column is to be four inches. The last word of the first line typed ends at 3%". Since each unit is a and /4 remains, the line lacks 8 units. Suppose ten words were typed in that line; two units were used between each word. Therefore, in re-typing, 8 units must be inserted in the line. Since there were 9 spaces, each of 2 units, 8 of these spaces must now have 3 units. Thus, in retyping, the 3 unit bar is used instead of the 2 unit bar in all except one space.

One method of determining the number of units short or over is to count while striking the space bar. Another method is actually to measure the distance. ihese and all other methods are not entirely satisfactory because of the time consumed and inaccuracies which ensue due to the human factor. Since only one error of one unit in one line can spoil the appearance of an entire column, some other method was indicated.

Consequently, justification indicators were proposed, but heretofore these indicators were complicated and generally were required to be originally built into the typewriter.

An important object of this invention is the construction of a justification indicator which is exceptionally simple and which may be constructed in the nature of an attachment for ma chines already built. Of course, the new indicator may also be supplied as original equipment.

An. important feature of the new justification indicator, in accordance with this invention, is that it includes a vertical plate for mounting on the frame of a typewriter machine and provided with a scale calibrated to indicate the number of space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to a margin defining position.

An other object of this invention is to provide the vertical plate with a pointer generally directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to the plate in order to swing across said plate. Resilient means is proposed connected with the pointer for urging the pointer in one direction to a start position. It is proposed to also provide a member for mounting on the carriage of the typewriter machine, and to horizontally slidably associate this member with the plate mentioned above at a pre-selected distance beneath the axis of said pointer.

An important feature resides in the provision of clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a Zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position. With this arrangement the typewriter machine may be worked in the usual way and the number of units which must be added or subtracted to justify a, line may be read from the scale on said plateand noted adjacent the line.

Another object is to cause the pointer to magnify unit spaces by a factor of 2, Or other factor, to enable easier reading of the scale with consequent improved accuracy, lessened fatigue, and other advtanges.

Additional objects of this invention reside in constructing the justification indicator exceptionally simple and sturdy so that it may be sold at a low cost and will operate efficiently and satisfactorily. Particularly, it is proposed to so construct the vertical plate that it may easily be mounted on the frame of the typewriter. It is proposed to characterize the member for supporting the clamp means by the fact that the member comprises merely a, bar having bent ends by which it may readily be mounted on the car riage of the typewriter machine. It is also pro posed to provide said bar with an elongated slot through and in which the clamp means is adjustably mounted.

A further object of this invention is toprovide an exceptionally simple clamp means which includes a thumb screw which may be slightly turned for releasing the clamp means and freeing it so that it may be shifted to selected positions along the elongated slot. Then it is merely necessary to turn back the thumb screw to lock the clamp means in its new position.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of. the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the.

invention are more particularly set forth.

In, the accompanyingdrawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a justification indicator constructed in accordance with this invention. and. applied to a schematic illustration of. the frame and carriage of a typewriter machine.

Fig.2 is a front. elevational View of Fig. 1.

Fig; 3 is a side elevational view of Fig. 2 lookingfroin the righthand side.

Fig.4 is.a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of the member and clamp means, illustrated per. se, this view being as though taken on the line 3-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of: another justification indicator embodying the same. invention but of modified construction.

Fig. 7 is an end" elevational' view of the indicator illustrated in Fig. 6.

The justification indicator for a typewriter machine, in accordance. with this invention, is intended to be used on a typewriter machine having a frame schematically indicated by the dot and dash lines It, and a carriage schematically indicated by the dot and dash lines I I. The typewriter machine may be of any design and construction, limited merely by the fact that the carriage II is required to move horizontally in multiples of a given space unit during typewriting. The justification indicator includes a vertical plate I2 for mounting on the frame III. This plate I2 is provided with a bottom flange I3 formed with a plurality of openings I4 for fastening elements by which the plate I2 may be attached to the frame it. A pointer I5, gen erally directed upwards, is pivotally mounted by a pivot construction It intermediate of its ends upon said plate I2 upon an axis at right angles lit; the plate I2 in order to swing across said plate Resilient means is connected with the pointer I5 for urging the pointer 115 in one direction to a start position. This resilient means is shown to comprise a tension spring I] attached at one end to the pointer I5 below the pivot I6, and at the other end to a fastening element I8 mounted on the plate I2. The plate I2 is provided with a stamped out lug I9 against which the spring I1 urges the pointer I5. This represents the start- 4 ing position of the pointer I5. It is indicated on the drawing by the dot and dash lines I5.

A member 25 for mounting on the carriage II is horizontally slidably associated with said plate I 2 at a pre-selected distance beneath the axis or pivot I6 of said pointer I5. More particularlyr the member is in the nature of a bar having end portions 2I'bent at right anglesand formed with apertures 22 for fastening elements by which the member 20 may be attached to the carriage II. Triangular shaped brackets 23 are mounted on the plate I2 and are arranged to have horizontal arms engaging the top and bottom edges of the bar 20 for horizontally slidably associating the member'2ii with the plate I2. The brackets 23 serve as a guide to require the correct mounting of the member 20 on the carriage II of the typewriter machine in relation to the position of the plate I2. This relationship is important as will be more particularly pointed out.

Clamp means 24 is horizontally adjustably mounted on. the member 20 in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along the member 20 corresponding-to a margin defining position. This clamp means 24 comprises a thumb screw 25'positioned to the front of the member 2!] and extending through an elongated slot 26' formed'in the bar 20. This slot 26 is horizontal. The thumb screw 25. threadedly engages a nut 21 which is positioned to the back of the member: 2!] and which has a square portion 28 extending into the slot 25' for preventing the nut 21 from turning. Preferably the thumb screw 25 has a knurled head by which it may be readily turned.

The rear end of the thumb screw 25 is provided with a reduced portion 29 in the nature of a projecting pin portion engageable with the bottom end of the pointer I5 and adapted to pivot said pointer 55 from said start position to a zero position, hereinafter referred to, when said clamp means 24 is clamped in said margin defining po-' sition. The plate I2 is provided with a scale 30' having a zero position 3| and extending to one side and to the other side of this zero position. This scale 38 is calibrated to indicate the num ber of space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position.

As illustrated on the drawing, the scale 30 is calibrated to have 20 units to the right of the zero position and 40 units to the left of the zero position. The plate i2 is inscribed with the word Add above that portion of the scale 3!! to the left of the zero point 3|, and the word Subtract above that portion to the right of the zero point 3!. The reason whyit is necessary for the member 25 to be located at a pre-selected distance beneath the axis or pivot construction I6 of the pointer I5 is that a change of this position would throw off the calibration of the scale 30. The space units of the scale 30 are not uniform spaces. They are calibrated spaced to indicate the correct space units which the pointer I5 indicates when the pin 25 of the clamp means 24 moves the pointer I5 during the operation of the carriage I l of the typewriter. The clamp means 24 moves horizontally while the pointer I5 pivots, and it is for this reason that the scale 30 must be correctly calibrated.

The operation of the justification indicator may be understood from the following:

In operation, the carriage II is set at a point which will establish the right hand. margin of the typewriting. While held in this position the clamp means 25 is loosened and moved towards the left so that the pin 29 engages the bottom of the pointer and pivots the pointer to the zero position on the scale, indicated b reference numeral 3|. This position of the clamp means is the margin defining position thereof. This is the only setting required and now the typewriter may be used. Let us assume that it is desired to typewrite a column 4" wide and that the clamp means 24 has been correspondingly set to this margin defining position as just explained. The carriage H is now moved to the extreme right, which will be 4". When this is done the clamp means 24 is moved free from the bottom end of the pointer H: which is then pivoted to its start position 15 by the spring ll. Typing is now begun and when 2% has been typed the pin 29 will contact the bottom end of the pointer [5. Each additional character or space typed will move the pointer I5 a certain number of units to the right.

Assuming that the last word ends 3%" from the beginning, the pointer will rest on 8. If another word were added the width of the word might be or 16 units. In this case the pointer l5 would move to the other side of zero and rest on 8 on the right side. In this case 8 units would have to be deducted from the spaces in the original typing. In any case, when the operator finishes typing the line one glance at the scale 3! reveals the required adjustment in the final typing and this figure (plus or minus) should be added to the typed line for reference when retyping. It will be apparent that absolute accuracy results, dependent only upon the operators ability to read the figure on the scale 36 and note it. A per- I centage of 20 to in the total time required over many old methods is saved, and operator fatigue is reduced by a large percentage.

It is proposed that the pivot point it of the pointer 15 be located along its length so that there is a mechanical step-up of the motion of the top end of the pointer l5. Due to this leverage action of the pointer, the se unit width may be magnified by a factor of approximately 3, and approximately 23315" is an amount easy to plot and easy to read at a distance of 1 feet to 2 feet from the eye of the operator.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a modified form of justification indicator has been disclosed. This indicator includes a pointer formed of several sections.

It includes a central disc section 36, a top section 37, and a bottom section 33. The top and bottom sections are attached to the central section. The central section 36 is turnably supported by the pivot IS. The pointer 35 is associated with means for urging said pointer 35 in one direction to a start position. This means merel comprises a counterweight 39 eccentrically mounted on the disc 36 and acting to normally pivot the pointer 35 against the stop ii].

In other respects this form of the invention is identical to the previous form and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

The operation of this form of the invention is also identical to the prior form, distinguishing merely in the fact that the projecting pin 29 of the clamp means 26 engages the bottom section 38 of the pointer 35 for pivoting said pointer 35. As the pointer 35 pivots the counterweight 35 is raised. Thereafter, when the typewriter carriage is moved to the right the pointer 35 returns to its start position because of gravity acting upon the counterweight 39. The actual operation for justifying lines of typewriting with this form of the invention is identical to the prior form.

Letters Patent is:

1. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position.

2. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said vertical plate being provided with a bottom flange with openings for fastening elements mounted on said frame.

3. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit dur ing typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin deiining position, the axis of pivoting of said pointer being at a point to mechanically enlarge the indicating end of the pointer in its movement in relation to the bottom moved end of the pointer.

4:. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position. along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said means for urging said pointer in one direction comprising a spring connected between said pointer and said plate.

5. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin. defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said member comprising a bar having end portions with openings for fastening elements by which it may be attach-ed on said carriage. l

6. A. justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or substracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said clamp means comprising a thumb screw positioned to the front of said member and engaging through a horizontal slot in said member and threadedly engaging a nut to the back of said member.

7. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted'on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero" position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said clamp means comprising a thumb screw positioned to the front of said member and engaging through a horizontal slot in said member and threadedly engaging a nut to the back of said member, said not having a portion extending into said slot for preventing the nut from turning.

8. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said clamp means comprising a thumb screw positioned to the front of said mem-- ber and engaging through a horizontal slot in said member and threadedly engaging a nut to the back of said member, said projecting pin being formed on the end of said thumb screw.

9. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed lip-- wards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said member comprising a horizontal bar, and brackets mounted on said plate and engaging the top and bottom edges of said bar for horizontally slidably associating said member with said plate at said preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer.

10. A justification indicator for a, typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate.

means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin defining position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said means for urging said pointer in one direction comprising a counterweight connected with the pointer.

11. A justification indicator for a typewriter having a frame and a horizontally movable carriage moving multiples of a given space unit during typewriting, comprising a vertical plate mounted on said frame, a pointer directed upwards and pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said said plate upon an axis at right angles to said plate in order to swing across said plate, means urging said pointer in one direction to a start position, a member mounted on said carriage and horizontally slidably associated with said plate at a preselected distance beneath the axis of said pointer, clamp means horizontally adjustably mounted on said member in order to be locked in any selected horizontal position along said member to a margin definin position and provided with a projecting pin engageable with the bottom end of said pointer and adapted to pivot said pointer from said start position to a zero position when said clamp means is clamped in said margin defining position, and a scale on said plate extending to one side and to the other side of said zero point and calibrated to indicate the number of said given space units which must be added or subtracted to justify a typewritten line in relation to said margin defining position, said pointer comprising a central disc section eoaxial of the pivotal mounting thereof and connected with and supporting a, top section and a bottom section, and said means for urging said pointer in one direction to a start position comprising a counterweight eccentrically mounted on said central disc section.

WILLIAM T. HODSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,213,562 Dodge Sept. 3, 1940 2,263,642 Norton Nov. 25, 1941 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,509,924 May 3 0, 1950 WILLIAM T. I-IODSON It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee of fifty percent interest in the above numbered patent Was erroneously described and specified as Charles Podansky Whereas said name should have been described and specified as Charles Polanslcy; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 19th day of September, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammissz'oner of Patents. 

